'Disgrace'

Grangetown councillor Ashley Govier, who had threatened to vote against his party until he received assurances about the future of the play centre in his ward, said: “We in Labour have got to sort ourselves out. This is farcical. It’s embarrassing.”

And one unnamed Labour councillor told the Echo: “I wouldn’t be surprised if all the Labour rebels supported the no confidence motion.”

Conservative councillor Craig Williams, who proposed the no confidence motion, said the leadership was not able to listen even to its own group.

He asked them: “How on earth do you expect the people of this city to take you seriously?

“How the budget has come about this evening is a disgrace. It’s a disservice to why every single one of us was put in this chamber.”

'It just shows how incompetent they are'

The “shambolic” scenes were also criticised by Independent group leader Jayne Cowan, whose group had proposed an alternative budget which was supported by opposition parties and had also won praise in previous days from some Labour rebels.

Plaid leader Neil McEvoy said: “I am very saddened to be a member of this council this evening.

“I am almost lost for words because I have never ever seen such a mess, such a shambles, such a poor excuse for a group which is certainly an ineptocracy of inexperienced people who don’t have a clue what they are doing.”

'We have fought hard to get the budget right'

But a number of Labour councillors told the meeting that the reason for the delays had been because they had been fighting for their communities – and to ensure they got everything right.

Cathays councillor Sam Knight said: “We have fought hard to get the right budget. Three hours’ delay to get the right things for the people of Cardiff, to get the assurances, is the right thing to do.

“We are working so hard to get this budget right. Labour will listen to the people in their communities and Labour will act.”

Trowbridge’s Michael Michael added: “I don’t believe one Labour councillor has anything to be ashamed of. When push came to shove we fought for our areas and got it through.”

Resignation call

Independent Gabalfa councillor Gareth Holden said afterwards: “It was a shocking meeting. I really think what the Labour group have shown is a deep division and complete fracturing.

“There’s no future in Cardiff for the leadership of Phil Bale. He needs to resign now.”

Coun Cowan added: “I am deeply disappointed. I think the behaviour and approach adopted by the ruling group was nothing less than disgraceful.

“I think to play party politics with something like this is very dangerous and people won’t forgive them.”

Lib Dem Gabalfa councillor Ed Bridges said: “It’s hard not to see Phil Bale as a dead man walking and I don’t take any pleasure in that.”